Tebow...or not Tebow?

With NFL training camps in full effect, there promises to be no shortage of topics to blog about. What better place to start than with one of the more polarizing players in the league. When it comes to fans, there is a pretty defined line when it comes to Tebow…..you either think he’ll bust, or you think he’ll be great.

Put me down as one who thinks Tebow will be great….



Tebow was the victim of one of the most memorable hazing incidents of all time. Those of the "public knowledge" variety of course.

 Compounding this split public opinion is the fact that Tebow is not yet even the starter on his own team. The team has a proven NFL passer in Kyle Orton who has at times looked amongst the more efficient signal callers in the league. You have a franchise that is not used to losing coming off two consecutive subpar years. You have a new coach in the fold, John Fox, who has a lot to prove despite some sustained success in Carolina. And lastly, you have Hall of Fame QB John Elway in an executive role for the organization, who undoubtedly has his own ideas about what the ideal Broncos QB should look like.

Tebow and Orton have remained supportive during their "competition", which will likely result in Orton beginning the year as the starter. Which one does Elway see as more of a "fit" for the Broncos moving forward?

You have 2010 first round pick (not chosen by Elway or Fox) Tebow who looks to be entering his second professional season as a backup. That’s a serious statement. First round picks are not drafted to be backups in their second year (OK, the Vernon Gholstons aside). They are supposed to be key contributors by their second season, especially as a team's quarterback of the future - presumably what Tebow is supposed to be, given his status as a first rounder.

Wow...I actually found a picture of Vernon Gholston's last QB sack....

Why do I think Tebow will be great?

He’s a leader and a winner. History proves that you do not necessarily have to have the optimal physical tools to succeed at QB in the NFL, if you have the right moxie. Take Donovan McNabb. Say what you want about him not winning a Super Bowl. Point out that he has perhaps been one of the least accurate passers of the 2000s. One thing you can’t say though, is that he’s not a leader or a winner.



Donovan wasn't blessed with the best physical tools (as his pedigree at left would suggest), but he was a winner both on and off the field....

How will Tebow be great if he’s on the bench this year?

I see Orton having moderate success this year, playing average football while the Broncos struggle to get wins out of the gate. At some point, the Broncos will need a spark. Enter Tebow and the beginning of his tenure atop the Broncos depth chart. I see Orton exiting after this season via sign-and-trade or perhaps just free agency. Fox has enough clout to survive another 6-10 to 8-8 season while he rebuilds the defense.

John Fox took the Panthers to the Super Bowl with erratic Jake Delhomme behind center. Why? Delhomme had the stones to win games and lead the team. Qualities that are also possessed by Tebow...

Aside from Orton having a Drew Brees-esque resurrection (maybe that’s how Purdue QB’s do it), this is how I see it playing out. If you don’t recall, the Chargers had Brees who was steady but unspectacular. They chose Phillip Rivers in 2004 to take over the reins. Brees, meanwhile, had back-to-back standout seasons after Rivers was drafted, forcing the team into making a decision prior to the 2006 season. They traded Brees in order to see what their first round pick could do. I expect the Broncos to do the same (by jettisoning Orton, one way or another).

Expect Tebow to be a major player come 2012.